Blog that Baby! (thebabywebsite.com)

Member Name: elbar1

Product:	thebabywebsite.com
Date:	15/08/08 (65 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Ease to navigate, interesting, informative and some unusual articles

Disadvantages: I don't like Baby of the Month (I mean the concept, not this month's particular baby!!)

thebabywebsite.com is an excellent resource for pregnant women, their partners and new parents. It is extremely easy to navigate and is updated daily so you will always find something new and of interest. It is not patronising and does not shy away from difficult issues. It is written by professionals and so you feel you are getting good advice.

There is plenty on the website to read without becoming a member but signing up does bring some benefits. You cannot read or participate in the forums without becoming a member and these forums can provide a lifeline when you are stuck indoors pregnant or with a little one. There are plenty of friendly people on there to offer advice or just to chat with. Many women find that they are isolated in the early stages of being a mum and using a forum can provide a great resource of friendship and support.

WEBSITE HIGHLIGHTS
1. Competitions for baby products with really excellent prizes, such a prams, car seats and vouchers.
2. Baby Blogs where you can write a diary about what you are experiencing with your pregnancy or as a new mum. You can also read other blogs, which is a great way to learn that everyone finds it tough and that no two pregnancies are the same.
3. Easy to use and easy to understand advice section on pregnancy symptoms, childbirth, twins, breastfeeding, stillbirth, cot death, baby skin care, toddlers, etc. (I have memorised the section on 'how do you know when you are in labour' just in case I don't notice and end up accidentally giving birth during a meeting or something!)
4. There is a section on product reviews, which is extremely useful when you are having trouble deciding on what to buy. There is so much choice these days and also so much pressure to buy everything that you can for your newborn. A friend of mine was shocked when I said I didn't have a changing unit and would just use a towel. I have spoken with a few mums and they all said they ended up using a towel on the floor because it was safer and easier. If I hadn't had a few friends with experience of having babies, I would have felt obliged to buy a changing unit. The product reviews on thebabywebsite.com provide you with a large resource of mums with experience who are happy to share their experience. Also, you can add your own product reviews, which helps you feel part of the community on the site.

FAVOURITE PART OF WEBSITE
The news section is really interesting and something a little unusual in pregnancy websites. Here you will find up to the minute pregnancy and baby news, such as developments in IVF, the new MMR campaign and research into the Baby Blues.

THE 'NOT SO GOOD' BITS
1. There is a useful pregnancy timeline to see how you baby is developing in the womb but most pregnancy websites have this feature and I have not been particularly impressed with the one on this site. It just doesn't do anything that the others don't. The pictures of the baby inside the womb are however really special.
2. Adverts around the site. I appreciate all sites do this and thebabyweebsite is not particularly bad at it. I just dislike adverts, especially for baby products because I am easily distracted and do not want temptation thrust at me!
3. Baby of the Month I do not agree with. I think it is cruel to pitch your baby against others in a competition. Lots of babies are entered though so it must be popular. This is just my personal issue.

OVERALL
There is not much that this website does not have. It is an excellent source of reliable information on all things baby-related. There is a Dad's section, which is useful but in my mind does suggest the rest of the site it aimed at mums. It would be nicer if it was all combined and assumed that mums and dads are both equally interested in nappies and the best bathing routines. I do enjoy using this site and the fact you can sign up and contribute to forums builds an important support network during pregnancy that I am sure I will use during the early years.

Summary: Excellent source of information and support